The Seoul Metropolitan Government has formally requested that major e-commerce platforms Temu and AliExpress suspend the sale of several children’s products, citing significant safety concerns following a recent inspection.
In a statement issued today, city officials reported that a review of 35 children’s items available on the platforms — including umbrellas, raincoats and rain boots — revealed that 11 of them failed to meet South Korean safety regulations. The inspection found several products containing hazardous substances in quantities far exceeding the country’s legal limits.
Of particular concern were six umbrellas containing phthalate-based plasticisers at concentrations up to 443.5 times higher than permitted levels. Phthalates, commonly used to increase the flexibility of plastic, are associated with endocrine disruption. In addition, two products were found to contain lead at concentrations reaching 27.7 times the allowable threshold. Lead exposure beyond safety limits is known to impair reproductive function and elevate the risk of cancer.
Although the platforms are not legally obligated to comply with the municipal government’s request, Seoul authorities have stressed the urgency of removing the non-compliant items from online sale. The government noted the long-term health risks of exposure to hazardous substances in children’s products and advised consumers to scrutinise product information thoroughly prior to purchase.
Neither Temu nor AliExpress immediately responded to requests for comment.
This development comes amid mounting international scrutiny of ultra-low-cost online retailers, including Temu, AliExpress, and Shein. These companies have rapidly gained global market share by offering fast fashion and accessories at competitive prices, positioning themselves as strong competitors to Western giants such as Amazon. However, concerns around product quality and consumer safety have increasingly accompanied their rise.
In a related move last year, the Seoul government highlighted that women’s accessories sold by Temu, AliExpress and Shein contained toxic substances in concentrations several hundred times above acceptable limits. The European Union also added Shein to its list of major digital platforms subject to stricter product safety regulations, with a particular emphasis on protecting minors from harmful goods.
-AFP
